Aussie battery breakthrough: Ultra fast-charging lithium-sulphur tech

A team of scientists at Australia’s Monash University have achieved a breakthrough in developing an ultra-fast charging lithium-sulphur (Li-S) battery that is poised to power everything from long-haul electric vehicles (EVs) to commercial drones.

This game-changing technology, detailed in a recent publication in ‘Advanced Energy Materials’, could also pave the way for electric aircraft in the future.

For years, lithium-sulphur batteries have been hampered by their slow charging times, making them commercially unviable. However, the Monash team overcame this challenge.

PhD candidate Maleesha Nishshanke explained: “Inspired by the chemistry of betadine, a common household antiseptic, we found a way to accelerate the charge and discharge rates, making them a viable battery option for real-world heavy-duty use.”

This catalyst dramatically improves charging and discharging speeds, resulting in batteries that not only double the energy density of conventional lithium-ion batteries but are also significantly lighter and more affordable.

Co-lead author Petar Jovanović explained: “This represents a major breakthrough towards making Li-S a feasible option not just for long-haul EVs but particularly in industries like aviation and maritime that require rapid, reliable power that is crucially light-weighted.”

Dr Jovanović paints a compelling picture of the future: “Imagine an electric vehicle that can travel from Melbourne to Sydney on a single charge or a smartphone that charges in minutes – we’re on the cusp of making this a reality.”

The team’s work addresses a major hurdle of Li-S technology: maintaining high performance without rapid degradation. “We’ve leveraged sulphur’s unique chemistry to make a battery that’s both safer and more efficient,” said Professor Mainak Majumder, co-lead researcher and Director of the ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing with 2D Materials.

“Our catalyst has significantly enhanced the C-rate performance of Li-S batteries, demonstrated in early proof-of-concept prototype cells. With commercial scaling and larger cell production, this technology could deliver energy densities up to 400Wh/kg. This makes it well-suited for applications requiring dynamic performance, such as aviation, where batteries must handle high C-rates during takeoff and efficiently switch to low C-rates during cruising.”

Over the next year, researchers plan to demonstrate the efficacy of Li-S battery technology in commercial drones, electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), and electric cars, where it could deliver an extra 1000 kilometres of range per charge.

The absence of materials such as cobalt, combined with a patented water-based electrode processing technique that eliminates the need for toxic solvents, contributes to a much smaller ecological footprint than that of Li-ion battery manufacturing.

With the global Li-S battery market set to be worth $US209 million by 2028, Monash University has established Ghove Energy, a start-up currently seeking pre-seed funding to translate this groundbreaking research into products.

Professor Majumder said: “This emerging industry has the potential to create jobs, drive economic growth, and establish Australia as a key player in the market.

“As demands for high-performance batteries soar, investment in cutting-edge technology will have long-term benefits for job creation and economic growth.”

Professor Majumder’s team remains focused on accelerating the refinement of Li-S battery technology, developing new additives to improve charging/discharging rates, and exploring methods to reduce lithium use – with support from the United States Air Force Office of Sponsored Research.